I am consumed with the great and mighty Banshee right now. She represents a woman that takes society's hatred of the feminine on herself, and personifies agony in her process. Rue identifies Banshee as the goddess that sings souls to the other side, and her adoration is met with a flurry of viscous refusal! Feathers fly!
I chose the visage of my Bella to depict this contrary faery, for a number of reasons: the first being her spectacular, compelling eyes. Those eyes can say 'Come Forth' and 'Go Hither' at once and with veracity. The beauty of Banshee is lost only on her ~ it is apparent to anyone that dares sidle close enough to her fury. Bounteous curves of the Goddess and an ethnicity undefined, she is the counterpoint to what she identifies as Rue's "Princess Bride looks".
In this world of body distortion and the resulting eating disorders, and attacks on the feminine around this planet, the time has come for us all to hear the call of Banshee.
I chose the visage of my Bella to depict this contrary faery, for a number of reasons: the first being her spectacular, compelling eyes. Those eyes can say 'Come Forth' and 'Go Hither' at once and with veracity. The beauty of Banshee is lost only on her ~ it is apparent to anyone that dares sidle close enough to her fury. Bounteous curves of the Goddess and an ethnicity undefined, she is the counterpoint to what she identifies as Rue's "Princess Bride looks".
In this world of body distortion and the resulting eating disorders, and attacks on the feminine around this planet, the time has come for us all to hear the call of Banshee.
Meanwhile, at the Drawing Board...
When Rue finds Banshee, she is doubled over in despair and shame. The concept of this book came to me as usual in the most unusual way; from on high, often at the most inconvenient times! In my first sketches, I drew Banshee in sack cloth and ashes, penitent and pathetic. It didn't play well ~ what does sack cloth look like, anyway? As I struggled with the sketches, a voice in my head (Gratian, the old monk*) said firmly, almost patiently, "No, Kim, she wears a burka." Really!? The Celtic faerie/goddess wears a burka!? I learned years ago while illustrating 'The Day Rue Flew' that to argue with the old monk was an exercise in futility. Particularly when the inspiration comes a 3:00 am, and I insist that it can wait until eight! So, a burka it is, though with the hood and draped fabric, I fancy it is of a Celtic sort of burka! Whatever it takes!
Another 'adjustment' had to be made to this drawing. I had imagined the fruit metaphor in the text as apples, or pomegranates. No, I'm told. It is the brambles of raspberries.
Another 'adjustment' had to be made to this drawing. I had imagined the fruit metaphor in the text as apples, or pomegranates. No, I'm told. It is the brambles of raspberries.
In the story, the first confrontation is not good. Banshee resents the intrusion of our little Rue, and her desire to help the Banshee, and free her from her fear.
Rue's lack of repulsion toward Banshee is the most offensive act.
How dare Rue show her compassion?!
Rue's lack of repulsion toward Banshee is the most offensive act.
How dare Rue show her compassion?!
Here I am with the first three pages on my drawing board, and my devoted assistant, RuePaul. The Rose Breasted Cockatoo is my faithful companion in my studio at the House of Rue.
He is also a cooperative model for the wings of Banshee, and her vividly pink bosom, in the final scenes of the story. Her feet are modeled after RuePaul's, as well.
He is also a cooperative model for the wings of Banshee, and her vividly pink bosom, in the final scenes of the story. Her feet are modeled after RuePaul's, as well.
RuePaul works for peanuts & head scratches. We dance, when the Spirit moves us.
Here are those gorgeous wings, on my Bella! a celebration of the feminine!
I have to confess: at a certain point in illustrating this story, I had to skip to the end. I needed these jubilant pictures of Banshee and Rue to summon the inner stuff I need to draw the dark ones in the middle. Sunrise over Lake Michigan, and a nod to Botticelli's Venus, are just the tonic I need to work my way through the fear and anger in the climax of the book.
I love the exuberance of these. They help me, like Rue in the story, persist!
I have to confess: at a certain point in illustrating this story, I had to skip to the end. I needed these jubilant pictures of Banshee and Rue to summon the inner stuff I need to draw the dark ones in the middle. Sunrise over Lake Michigan, and a nod to Botticelli's Venus, are just the tonic I need to work my way through the fear and anger in the climax of the book.
I love the exuberance of these. They help me, like Rue in the story, persist!
Good friends in the spiral labyrinth at the House , among the Queen Anne's Lace and the Napweed. Bella (Carla Blacker, and the model for Banshee) and Heidi Dietrich (the Lover's Angel in the Journey of the Fool in First Person) have both contributed more than I can list in loving support of our shared dreams and belief that life can be a higher expression of joyous, magical, wondrous soul-filled celebration!
Persistent Rue
Rue persists in her attempt to persuade Banshee that she is of value and beauty and worth.
By this stage of the story, Rue is speaking on behalf of all that the Banshee represents: the Sacred Feminine, Herself!
Rue speaks of her daughter, Blue, and all children and people, male and female, that have sunk low in the degradation of the feminine.
We all need to lift our wings, each in our own flight, in order to soar as the spirits we are collectively.
By this stage of the story, Rue is speaking on behalf of all that the Banshee represents: the Sacred Feminine, Herself!
Rue speaks of her daughter, Blue, and all children and people, male and female, that have sunk low in the degradation of the feminine.
We all need to lift our wings, each in our own flight, in order to soar as the spirits we are collectively.
In the face of Fury
The expression on this face is a compilation of fear and rage and sorrow, and in spite of all conscious and deliberate intention, a glimmer of hope.
Banshee, like so many of us, is caught in a trap of other people's attitudes and fears confining an defining her and her motivation, and is imprisoned by their prejudice that she has subsequently internalized.
When a belief is fragile, like those that have been thrust into us, and not sourced from our connection with Love/God, we are more apt to yell out in it's defense. If we holler loud enough, maybe we can convince ourselves of the truth of the lie. Banshee, as a book of Ruevelation, is unique for two reasons: It has a an addendum called 'A Letter to Only You', and a glossary. I am aware that the subject of misogyny is not pretty or comfortable, but I believe it is a subject that we need to face, with a FURY!
Banshee, like so many of us, is caught in a trap of other people's attitudes and fears confining an defining her and her motivation, and is imprisoned by their prejudice that she has subsequently internalized.
When a belief is fragile, like those that have been thrust into us, and not sourced from our connection with Love/God, we are more apt to yell out in it's defense. If we holler loud enough, maybe we can convince ourselves of the truth of the lie. Banshee, as a book of Ruevelation, is unique for two reasons: It has a an addendum called 'A Letter to Only You', and a glossary. I am aware that the subject of misogyny is not pretty or comfortable, but I believe it is a subject that we need to face, with a FURY!
Meanwhile, back to the drawing board...
This is the first time I've tried to blog from my phone. I'm out at the House of Rue, and the snow is falling! It is so magical in this snow globe world. RuePaul is happily crunching away on his peanuts, oblivious to the challenges of maintaining this dream. My life is as illusionary as my faerie tales. In a blink, all the loveliness can go out like a bursting bubble. For now, there is a fire in the wood stove and coffee perculating in the pot. Today, I will continue to dream and draw.
Banshee is coming around.
Blue
The apples found their way back on the pages. The vision of Blue needed something to perch on.
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